Mass. Legislative Panel Approves Mashpee Tribal Casino Compact

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BOSTON (AP) — After being stalled on Beacon Hill for months, a casino compact between Gov. Deval Patrick and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is getting a push forward.

A legislative committee on Tuesday voted in favor of the compact and sent it the full House and Senate for final approval.

Patrick signed the revised compact with the tribe in March after an earlier agreement was rejected by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. The new deal calls for the state to receive between 15 and 21 percent of gambling revenues if the Mashpee succeed in building a casino in Taunton.

Also Tuesday, voters in West Springfield are deciding whether to back a resort casino proposed by Hard Rock.

And in Plainville, a referendum is being held on a proposed slots parlor at the Plainridge harness race track.

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